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Christmas is right around the corner, which means millions of families are indulging in the endless lineup of holiday classics. From How The Grinch Stole Christmas to It’s A Wonderful Life, the feel-good movies seem practically overwhelming. However, several Christmas movies cater to a much more mature audience. Amidst childlike wonder and innocent imaginations, many films contain dark, gritty twists and adult humor to enjoy this holiday season. As such, if you’re looking for that particular adult holiday film with plenty of crude humor and adult language, then look no further than this list. Let’s take a look at the best Christmas movies for adults to enjoy after putting the kids to bed.
Office Christmas Party
This 2016 Christmas-comedy film features a plethora of chaotic behavior and bad decisions. The film also includes several notable stars, such as Jason Bateman, Jennifer Aniston, Kate McKinnon, and Courtney B. Vance. Failing to meet the company quota, interim CEO Carol (Aniston) threatens to close her brother’s branch. However, it’s a branch that once was run by their father. Her brother, Clay, realizes that a move like that will ruin the lives of his colleagues and friends at the company. With the help of CTO Josh (Bateman), the two decide to throw a Christmas party at the company office in hopes of reeling in a potential big-name client. What follows is endless hilarious moments and brave stunts that will leave you in tears.
The Night Before
Full of wacky hijinks and holiday cheer, The Night Before explores the transition of a childhood Christmas to the change in adulthood. The film famously stars Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Anthony Mackie as the main trio. After the death of Ethan’s parents around Christmas time as a child, his best friends Issac and Chris promise to never allow him to spend Christmas alone. As such, the rambunctious group set off to find the best Christmas Eve party happening in New York City. Additionally, the group encounters illegal drugs while sporting horrifyingly-ugly sweaters. Furthermore, all three men discover the hardships of Christmas as an adult compared to the magic as a naive child.
Four Christmases
This Christmas-time classic features an array of dysfunction and disorder. Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn star as Kate and Brad, a couple who plans on vacationing in Fiji for the holiday. However, an unexpected fog storm cancels their plans. Amidst the chaos, a news reporter captures the pair on camera, with their families seeing them on TV. As such, the two are forced to visit with their families for Christmas instead.
With all of this in mind, the mayhem only increases as they visit their families one by one. Furthermore, both of their parents are divorced, and they strongly dislike the kids of their siblings. From baby puke to an unorthodox holiday play in church, there’s something for every adult to enjoy in this holiday favorite. Therefore, it’s one of the best Christmas movies for adults.
Eight Crazy Nights
Adam Sandler famously performs triple-duty in this wildly funny Christmas-Hanukkah tale aimed straight for a mature audience. The plot follows Davey, a recluse, alcoholic troublemaker that has earned disappointment and hatred from the rest of the community. After destroying public property, Davey faces the possibility of spending several years in prison. However, a warm-hearted youth basketball referee by the name of Whitey (voiced by Sandler) offers to watch over Davey to keep him out of trouble.
Eventually, Davey sees the true error of his ways and vows to stay out of trouble. Furthermore, he and Whitey form a close friendship, with Davey even helping Whitey earn a basketball acknowledgment. The film’s raunchiness and crude humor initially earned a sour reception, though it has since become a holiday favorite.
A Bad Moms Christmas
The outrageously hilarious sequel to Bad Moms only garners more laughs and insane moments. The film features an ensemble cast, including Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Christine Baranski, Susan Sarandon, and Wanda Sykes. The sequel, much like the first film, follows three “bad” moms; Amy, Kiki, and Carla. This time, the women are trying to make Christmas perfect for their kids, until the interruption by all three of their mothers foils their initial plans.
The beloved cast delivers several stand-out performances, including those of Kunis and Baranski as a mother and daughter at odds with each other. A Bad Moms Christmas features a magnitude of raunchiness much more extreme than its predecessor. As such, it’s an adult holiday staple that never gets tiresome.
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
While Christmas Vacation includes memorable Christmas-themed tropes, it’s strictly aimed more towards an adult audience. Even so, it boasts a PG-13 rating, meaning it’s not entirely off-limits for kids. However, most of the minor profanities and general adult humor shy away from young observers.
In the movie, Clark Griswold is determined to give his family the best Christmas. Unfortunately for the Griswolds, several encounters with unorthodox family members cause a particular cauldron of chaos. An abundance of ladders and unruly instances makes for a genuinely funny film. Furthermore, the Griswolds eventually understand the true meaning of Christmas: being with family. Therefore, it remains a holiday classic, and one of the best Christmas movies for adults.
Bad Santa
The infamous black-comedy Christmas extravaganza perfectly defies the traditional Christmas tropes and clichés. The unique film stars Billy Bob Thornton as Willie T. Stoke, a faux department store Santa Claus who gingerly awaits his chance to rob the mall after hours with his partner, Marcus. However, Willie’s uncontrollable alcoholism and sex dependency begin to interfere with their plans, much to the chagrin of Marcus.
Along the way, plans only continue to fall through as Willie meets and forms a close friendship with Thurman, a credulous boy who believes that he is Santa. This, combined with the fact that Willie’s interest has diminished, makes for a hilarious movie with endless banter and antics. Willie finds himself in unbelievable circumstances, such as showing up drunk as Santa and having sex with mall employees. As such, it makes for one of the best (and most enjoyable) Christmas movies for adults.